Multiple and selectable parts trophy construction

ABSTRACT

A SELECTABLE PARTS TROPHY CONSTRUCTION WHEREIN VARIOUS PARTS OF DIFFERENT SIZE AND SHAPE MAY BE RAPIDLY AND EASILY SECURED TOGETHER IN VARIOUS WAYS TO PROVIDE A WIDE VARIETY OF TROPHY ASSEMBLIES OF DIFFERENT SIZE, SHAPE AND APPEARANCE. A SELECTED ONE OF A SERIES OF TROPHY BOYD MEMBERS, WHICH ARE OF DIFFERENT HEIGHT AND SHAPE BUT WHICH HAVE THE SAME UPPER AND LOWER END CONFIGURATION, SERVES AS THE PRIMARY ELEMENT OF EACH TROPHY ASSEMBYL. AN ADPATER MEMBER, ADAPTED TO HAVE A FIGURE OR THE LIKE MOUNTED THEREON, IS ENGAGEABLE WITH THE UPPER END OF THE TROPHY BODY MEMBER, AND ANOTHER ADAPTER MEMBER, ADAPTED TO HAVE A WOODEN TROPHY BASE OR THE LIKE MOUNTED THEREON, IS ENGAGEABLE WITH THE LOWER END OF THE TROPHY BODY MEMBER. QUICK-ACTING CONNECTING MEANS CARRIED BY EACH ADAPTER MEMBER AND THE RESPECTIVE ENDS OF THE TROPHY BODY MEMBER, PERMIT RAPID ASSEMBLY AND/OR DSASSEMBLY OF THE TROPHY PARTS. LOCK MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONNECTING MEANS PREVENTS UNINTENTIONAL DISENGAGEMENT OF THE ADAPTER MEMBER, AND ANY PARTS MOUNTED ON THE ADAPTER MEMBERS, FROM THE TROPHY BODY MEMBER AFTER THE PARTS ARE ASSEMBLED.

July 27, 1971 D. K. ALLEN 3,595,727

MULTIPLE AND SELECTABLE PARTS TROPHY CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 22, 196 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E [RI/@ TJUTL' V #25 -flvv'o K (116cm D. K. ALLEN July 27, 1971 MULTIPLE AND SELECTABLE PARTS TROPHY CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 6 US. Cl. 161-17 19 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A selectable parts trophy construction wherein various parts of different size and shape may be rapidly and easily secured together in various ways to provide a wide variety of trophy assemblies of different size, shape and appearance. A selected one of a series of trophy body members, which are of different height and shape but which have the same upper and lower end configuration, serves as the primary element of each trophy assembly. An adapter member, adapted to have a figure or the like mounted thereon, is engageable with the upper end of the trophy body member, and another adapter member, adapted to have a wooden trophy base or the like mounted thereon, is engageable with the lower end of the trophy body member. Quick-acting connecting means, carried by each adapter member and the respective ends of the trophy body member, permit rapid assembly and/ or disassembly of the trophy parts. Lock means associated with the connecting means prevents unintentional disengagement of the adapter members, and any parts mounted on the adapter members, from the trophy body member after the parts are assembled.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the invention This invention relates to trophies, and more particularly relates to a multiple and selectable parts trophy construction which permits selected ones of a plurality of trophy parts of different size and shape to be easily and rapidly connected together in a desired manner.

(2) Description of the prior art Various types of multiple part trophy constructions have been heretofore developed, which permitted a distributor or dealer to select a particular group of parts and assemble a trophy suited to the needs of the purchaser. An example of one such type of construction is shown and described in the Gill Patent No. 2,254,802. However, the trophy construction disclosed in the Gill patent, as well as many others, were not entirely satisfactory for their intended purpose either because of the time required to assemble the various parts or because they were difficult to manipulate and adjust. In addition, the retaining structures employed for holding the parts together in some of such constructions frequently became loose after handling, which was undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly described, the present invention contemplates a novel multiple part trophy construction wherein selected ones from different groups of trophy parts of different size and shape, may be rapidly and easily assembled by a dealer or retailer in various ways to provide a Wide variety of different trophy assemblies for meeting the needs of most purchasers. Moreover, after assembly, the parts become rigidly and securely interconnected so that the trophy is capable of withstanding more than the usual amount of bumping and jarring associated with shipment and handling.

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Thus, the trophy construction, to be hereinafter described in detail, comprises a generally cup-shaped trophy body member, having opposite, or upper and lower, ends. The trophy body member is preferably made in different sizes and shapes, but the upper ends of all of the trophy body members of a set are of the same size and shape, and the lower ends of all of the trophy body members of a set are also of the same size and shape. However, the opposite or upper and lower ends of the trophy body members of a set need not be of the same size and shape.

Adapter members, which may be rapidly and easily secured to their respective opposite ends of a trophy body member, permit other parts to be connected to the ends of the body member, if desired. Thus, the adapter member that is engageable with the upper end of the trophy body member may be utilized as a mounting for a trophy figure or the like, or by itself, and the other adapter member that is engageable with the lower end of the trophy body member may be utilized as a mounting for a wooden trophy base or the like.

In the preferred embodiment to be hereinafter described, the upper and lower ends of the trophy body members are of different size and shape. Consequently, different adapter members are provided for engaging the upper and lower ends of the trophy body member. However, one adapter member will fit all of the upper ends of the trophy body members of a set and another adapter member will fit all of the lower ends of the trophy body members of the set.

Rapid and positive securement of each adapter member to a respective end of a trophy body member is achieved by quick-acting connecting means. Such connecting means is preferably of the tongue and groove type, there being at least one circumferentially extending groove in the outer surface of the trophy body member at the upper end thereof, and at least one radially extending tongue on the adapter member engageable with the upper end of the trophy body member and movable into the groove. Movement of the tongue into the groove after the adapter member is engaged with the upper end of the trophy body member is effected by rotating the adapter member in an appropriate direction.

Lock means in the form of a recess in the groove in the trophy body member and a detent in the tongue of the adapter member, is provided to prevent disengagement of the tongue from the groove.

The connecting means for securing the other adapter member to the lower end of the trophy body member includes at least one circum'ferentially extending groove formed in an outer annular side wall of the adapter memher, and at least one radially extending tongue on the side wall of the trophy body member.

Lock means in the form of a taper in the groove in the adapter member engageable with the lower end of the trophy body member, is also provided for preventing disengagement of the tongue from the groove.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the invention to provide a novel and improved selectable parts trophy construction, which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art.

Another object is to provide a novel selectable parts trophy construction which permits assembly of a wide variety of trophies of different size, shape and appearance.

A further object is to provide a novel selectable parts trophy construction of the foregoing character, wherein the various parts thereof may be easily and rapidly assembled.

Still another object is to provide a novel selectable parts trophy construction which minimizes the inventory of different trophies required to be maintained by distributors, dealers and retailers. 1

A still further object is to provide a novel selectable part trophy construction of the character described, that is economical to manufacture, reliable in operation and attractive in appearance.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying sheets of drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a selectable parts trophy construction embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the trophy illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, with some parts in elevation and others broken, of a portion of the trophy illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a staggered, horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the trophy illustrated in FIG. 2, and showing additional details of the construction thereof;

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is enlarged, side elevational view of another part of the trophy illustrated in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIGS. 1 and 2, a selectable parts trophy construction 10, embodying the features of the present invention, is illustrated. The trophy construction 10 comprises a trophy body member 11 having an upper end 12 and lower end 13, and a pair of adapter members 14 and 16, respectively engageable with the upper end 12 and lower end 13 of the body member 11. A figure 17 is shown mounted on the adapter member 14, and a trophy base 18 is shown mounted on the lower adapter member 16. While the trophy 10 will hereinafter be described as including the aforementioned parts, it will be understood in the event that a purchaser does not desire to have a figure, such as the figure 17, mounted on the upper end of the trophy body member 11, the figure 17, as well as the adapter member 14, could be omitted from the assembly. However, because of the attractive appearance of the adapter member 14, it is contemplated that the latter could be mounted by itself on the upper end 12 of the trophy body member 11 if desired. It will also be understood that if a purchaser does not wish to mount the trophy body member 11 on a base, such as the base 18, the latter, as well as the adapter member 16, could be omitted from the assembly.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the trophy body 11 is preferably in the form of a cup having a side wall 19 and a bottom wall 20 having an opening 21 therein. The side wall 19 flares upwardly and outwardly at the upper end 12 and terminates in flat, annular upper and lower end edges 22 and 23 respectively. A pair of generally triangularly-shaped, diametrically spaced projections or bosses 26 having downwardly and inwardly inclined arcuate side walls 27 and arcuate peripheral or radially outer end walls 28, are provided on the side wall 19 at the upper end 12 of the body member 11 with the outer surfaces of the end walls 28 being axially coextensive with a portion of the outer periphery of the end edge 22 of the body member. It will be understood that more or less than two bosses 26 could be provided and that they could be of some other configuration.

As heretofore mentioned, the adapter member 14 serves as a convenient mounting for a figure, such as the figure 17 or the like, when the adapter member is engaged with and secured to the upper end 12 of the trophy body member 11. However, because of its attractive appearance, the adapter member 14 could be mounted on the upper end 12 of the trophy body member 11 by itself. In its preferred form, the adapter member 14 comprises an elongated, generally rectangular strap or bar of lesser width than the diameter of the upper end 12 of the trophy body member 11, and having a central circular portion 32 formed integrally therewith and of somewhat greater diameter than the width of the adjacent end portions so as to have arcuate portions 33 thereof projecting outwardly beyond the lateral side edges, indicated at 34, of the adapter member 14. An upraised circular boss 35 may be provided on the central circular portion 32 of the adapter member 14 for engaging the base indicated at 36, of the figure 17. The central portion 32 and boss 35 of the adapter member 14 are provided with an opening 37 for receiving a threaded shank 41 depending from the base 36 of the figure 17. A nut 43, threaded onto the shank 41, rigidly secures the figure 17 to the adapter member 14.

In order to permit rapid and positive securement of the adapter member 14 to the upper end 12 of the trophy body member 11, quick-acting connecting means carried by these members is provided. Such connecting means is preferably of the tongue and groove type, with at least one groove formed in the trophy body member 11 and at least one tongue formed in the adapter member 14. As shown in FIGS. 2-5, a circumferentially extending arcuate groove 46 is formed in the outer end wall 28 of each boss 26, and an inwardly extending, arcuate tongue 47 is provided at the lower end of an arcuate, depending portion or flange 48 at each outer longitudinal end of the adapter member 14. The tongues 47 have an arcuate length substantially equal to or somewhat less than that of the grooves 46, and the opposed inner end edges, indicated at 52 in FIGS. 2 and 4, of the tongues 47, have radii of curvature substantially equal to or slightly less than the radii of curvature of the grooves 46. Consequently, the edges 52 of the tongues 47 snugly engage the bottoms of the grooves 46 when the adapter member 14 is in its fully engaged position with the upper end 12 of the trophy body member 11, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. Movement of the tongues 47 into the grooves 46 is facilitated by beveling the corner edges thereof, as indicated at 53 in FIG. 4.

With the foregoing construction it will be apparent that the adapter member 14 may be readily engaged with the upper end 12 of a trophy body member 11, merely by moving the adapter member 14 toward and into engagement with the upper end edge 22 of the trophy body member 11 with the flanges 48 of the adapter member 14 rotated to a position such that the tongues 47 clear the end walls 28 of the bosses 26. Thereafter, the adapter member 14 is rotated with respect to the upper end 12 of the trophy body member 11 to cause the tongues 47 to move into the grooves 46. When the tongues 47 are fully engaged in the grooves 46, the adapter member 14 is positively and rigidly secured to the upper end 12 of the trophy body 11. In the event that a purchaser desires a trophy with a figure, such as the figure 17, the latter is mounted on the adapter member 14 prior to interconnection thereof with the trophy body member by inserting the threaded shank 41 of the figure through the opening 37 in the adapter member and thereafter securing the figure in position on the adapter member 14 by drawing up the nut 43.

In order to prevent shifting in and/or disengagement of the tongues 47 from the groves 46 after the adapter member 14 has been moved into its fully engaged position with the upper end of the trophy body member, lock means is provided. Such lock means preferably comprises a recess 56 (FIGS. 3 and 4) in at least one and preferably both end edges 52 of the tongues 47, and a detent 57 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 5) in the bottom of at least one and preferably both grooves 46. The detents 57 are preferably diametrically arranged and circumferentially centrally located in the grooves. Thus, when the adapter member 14 is rotated on the upper end 12 of the trophy body member 11 to the position illustrated in FIGS, 1, 3 and 4,

the detents 57 will seat in the recesses 56 and thereby prevent relative movement of the tongues 47 in the grooves 46 and any subsequent loosening or disengagement of the adapter member 14 from the trophy body member 11, even though the trophy is subjected to considerable bumping and jarring.

It will be understood that while a pair of grooves 46 and tongues 47 are preferred, more or less than this number could be utilized. It will also be understood that while the tongues 47 and grooves 46 have been respectively described as being provided in the adapter member 14 and the trophy body member 11, their location could be reversed. Likewise, only one recess 56 and one detent '57 could be employed for preventing movement of the tongues 47 in the grooves 46, and the location of these elements could be reversed.

As heretofore mentioned, the trophy 10 includes another adapter member 16 engageable with the lower end 13 of the trophy body member 11, for closing the opening 21 in the bottom wall of the adapter member and for securing a trophy base, such as the base 18, to the lower end of the trophy body member 11.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7, the adapter member 16 is preferably in the form of a stepped, cylindrical plug having a lower disk portion 62, a central disk portion 63 and upper disk portion 64. The lower disk portion 62 has a diameter substantially equal to that of the outside diameter of the lower end 13 of the body member 11 and the central portion 63 has a diameter substantally equal to the inside diameter of the lower end of the body member 11 so that when the adapter member 16 is fully engaged with the lower end of the body member 11, the central portion 63 telescopes within the lower end 13 with the lower end edge 23 of the body member 11 resting on the annular upper surface of the lower disk portion 62, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3. The height of the central disk portion 63 is somewhat less than the axial distance between the lower end edge 23 of the trophy body member 11 and the under or outer surface of the bottom wall 20 to assure this relationship.

In order to permit rapid and positive securement of the adapter member 16 to the lower end 13 of the trophy body member 11, quick-acting connecting means carried by these members is provided. Such connecting means is preferably of the tongue and groove type, with at least one and preferably two, diametrically arranged tongues 71 formed in the inner peripheral edge of the opening 21 in the bottom wall 20 of the body member 11, and at least one and preferably two circumferentially extending, diametrically spaced grooves 72 formed in the circumferential side wall, indicated at 73 of the upper disk portion 64 of the adapter member 16. The tongues 71 have a radial dimension such as to extend into the grooves 72 and connect the adapter member 16 to the lower end 13 of the trophy body member 11 when the adapter member 16 is moved into engagement with the lower end 13 of the body member. To this end, the circumferential side wall 73 of the upper disk portion 64 is provided with a pair of diametrically spaced flats 74 of sufficient depth to permit the full diameter portions of the upper disk portion 64 to be shifted inwardly past the tongues 71 when the flats 74 are disposed adjacent the tongues 71. Thereafter, the adapter member 16 is rotated relative to the lower end 13 of the body member 11 to cause the tongues 71 to move into the grooves 72, as heretofore described.

In order to prevent shifting in and/or disengagement of the tongues 71 from the grooves 72 after the adapter member 16 has been moved into its fully engaged position with the lower end 13 of the trophy body member 11, lock means is provided. Such lock means preferably comprises a taper in the grooves 72, which causes the tongues 71 to cam the adapter member 16 into the lower end 13 of the body member 11 as the adapter member 16. is rotated in a clockwise direction when facing the lower end edge 23 of the body member. Such cam action causes the upper annular surface on the lower disk portion 62 to be moved into tight fitting engagement with the lower end edge 23 of the body member 11, thereby securely interconnecting the parts. The taper of the grooves 72 is preferably formed by inclining the upper bounding edges thereof, indicated at 76 in FIGS. 3 and 7, upwardly or away from the central portion 63.

As heretofore mentioned, the adapter member 16 serves as a convenient mounting for a base, such as the base 18, and to close the opening 21 in the bottom wall 20 of the trophy body member 11. Assuming that it is desired to mount the trophy body member 11 on the base 18, the adapter member 16 may first be secured to the lower end 13 of the body member 11, and thereafter, the base 18 may be secured to the adapter member 16. Securement of the adapter member 16 to the lower end 13 of the trophy body member is facilitated by at least one and preferably a pair of oppositely arranged recesses 77 (FIG. 3) which extend into the adapter member 16 from the bottom or outer surface of the lower disk portion 62. The recesses 77 permit engagement of a tool (not shown) therein, and the application of torque to the adapter member 16 for securing it to the lower end 13 of the trophy body member, in the manner previously described.

Securement of the base 18 to the bottom of the adapter member 16 is provided for by a bolt or stud 82 (FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7) fixedly mounted in the adapter member 16. To this end, the base 18 may be provided with a central bore 83 for receiving the threaded shank, indicated at 84, of the stud 82. The bore 83 may be counterbored as at 86 to define a shoulder 87 for coaction with a nut 88 thread able onto the shank 84. Thus, after the shank 84 has been inserted into the bore 83 and the nut 88 drawn up, the base 18 is secured to the adapter member 16. Alternately, the adapter member 16 could be initially mounted on the base 18, in the manner previously described, and thereafter the adapter member 16 could be secured to the lower end 13 of the trophy body member 11, after engagement therewith, by the application of torque to the base 18.

It will thus be appreciated that the construction of the selectable parts trophy 10 provides many advantages not present in trophy constructions heretofore advanced. Thus, because the various parts of the present trophy construction may be made in different sizes and shapes, and because selected ones of these parts may be rapidly and easily interconnected in any desired manner, a highly versatile construction is provided. Moreover, because of the positive action of the connecting means for securing each adapter member to a respective end of a trophy body member, the parts of a particular assembly remain rigidly interconnected, even after long periods of use. In addition, the use of separate adapter members for securing other trophy parts to the upper and lower ends of a trophy body member eliminates the usual through bolt employed in other trophy constructions.

While only one embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that modifications and variations thereof may be affected without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A selectable parts trophy comprising a trophy body member having opposite ends, an adapter member engageable with one of said ends of said trophy body member and adapted to have another trophy part mounted thereon, and connecting means carried by said members for connecting said adapter member to said one end of said trophy body member, said connecting means including means defining at least one circumferentially extending groove in a wall of one of said members and at least one tongue on the other of said members movable into said groove, said tongue holding said adapter member engaged with said one end of said trophy body member when said tongue is disposed in said groove.

2. The trophy of claim 1, further characterized in that a pair of oppositely arranged grooves are provided in said one member, and a pair of oppositely extending tongues are provided on the other of said members.

3. The trophy of claim 1, further characterized in that said connecting means includes lock means for preventing movement of said tongue in said groove and disengagement of said adapter member from. trophy body member.

4. A selectable parts trophy comprising a trophy body member having upper and lower ends, on adapter member engageable with said upper end of said trophy body member, said adapter member being adapted to have a trophy figure mounted thereon, and connecting means carried by said members for connecting said adapter member to said upper end of said trophy body member, said connecting means including means defining at least one circumferentially extending groove in one of said members and at least one tongue on the other of said members movable into said groove, said tongue holding said adapter member engaged with said upper end of said trophy body member when said tongue is disposed in said groove.

5. The trophy of claim 4, further characterized in that said trophy body member has a side wall having an outer surface, and said groove is formed in said outer surface of said side Wall.

6. The trophy construction of claim 5, further characterized in that said adapter member has a portion extending toward said lower end of said trophy body member and said tongue is carried by said portion.

7. The trophy construction of claim 6, further characterized in that a pair of said grooves are provided in said outer surface of said side Wall, and said adapter member has a pair of said portions carrying said tongues.

8. The trophy of claim 7, further characterized in that said adapter member is of an elongated, generally rectangular shape having longitudinally spaced ends, said portions comprise flanges on said longitudinally spaced ends, and said tongues are carried by said flanges.

9. The trophy construction of claim 5, further characterized in that at least one outwardly projecting boss having an outer surface is provided on the side wall of said trophy body member, and said groove is formed in the outer surface of said boss.

10. The trophy of claim 9, further characterized in that a pair of oppositely arranged bosses are provided on said side wall, and a groove is formed in the outer surface of each boss.

11. The trophy of claim 5, further characterized in that said connecting means includes lock means for preventing movement of said tongue in said groove and disengagement of said adapter member from said trophy body member, said lock means comprising a recess in one of said tongue and groove and a detent in the other of said tongue and groove.

12. The trophy of claim 11, further characterized in that said recess is formed in said groove and said detent is formed in said tongue.

13. A selectable parts trophy comprising a trophy body member having upper and lower ends, an adapter member engageable with said lower end of said trophy body member, said adapter member being adapted to have a trophy base mounted thereon, and connecting means carried by said members for connecting said adapter member to said lower end of said trophy body member, said connecting means including means defining at least one circumferentially extending groove in one of said members and at least one tongue on the other of said members movable into said groove, said tongue holding said adapter member engaged with said lower end of said trophy body member when said tongue is disposed in said groove.

14. The trophy of claim 13, further characterized in that said trophy body member has a bottom wall having an opening therein, and said tongue is formed on said bottom wall and extending into said opening.

15. The trophy of claim 14, further characterized in that a pair of oppositely arranged tongues are provided on said bottom wall and extending into said opening, and said adapter member has a pair of said grooves :for receiving said tongues.

16. The trophy of claim 14, further characterized in that said adapter member has a portion engageable with the lower end of said trophy body member and another portion extendable into the opening in said bottom wall and having a side wall, and said groove is formed in said side wall of said other portion.

17. The trophy of claim 16, further characterized in that said upper and lower ends of said trophy body member are longitudinally spaced, and said groove in said side wall extends transversely with respect to said longitudinally spaced ends.

18. The trophy of claim 13, further characterized in that said connecting means includes lock means for preventing movement of said tongue in said groove and disengagement of said adapter member from said trophy body member, said lock means comprising a taper in said groove cooperable with said tongue.

19. A selectable parts trophy comprising a trophy body member having upper and lower ends, an adapter member engageable with said upper end of said trophy body member, said adapter member being adapted to have a trophy figure mounted thereon, quick-acting connecting means carried by said adapter member and trophy body member at the upper end of the latter for connecting said adapter member to said upper end, another adapter member engageable with the lower end of said trophy body member, said other adapter member being adapted to have a trophy base mounted thereon, and quick-acting connecting means carried by said other adapter member and said trophy body at the lower end of the latter for connecting said other adapter member to said lower end, whereby said adapter members and their associated structure are independently and rapidly connectable to the respective ends of said trophy body member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,027,670 4/ 1962 Kramer et a1. 161-7 2,254,802 9/1941 Gill 16l-7X 3,370,144 2/ 1968 Arthur et a1. 285-376X 532,589 l/1895 Schmidt 285-92X 2,609,638 9/1952 Lindenmeyer 46--23X PHILIP DIER, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

